Most interviews in both the public and private sectors are competency-based. They give employers a fair and structured way to assess how you’ve demonstrated key skills in the past. But for many of our clients, they can feel robotic and a bit intimidating.
At The Communications Clinic, we train people every day on how to prepare for these interviews with confidence.
Whether you're aiming for a promotion, switching careers, or applying for a job in the civil or public service, this guide will walk you through how to prepare the smart way.
What is a Competency-Based interview?
A competency-based interview is structured around specific skills or behaviours that the employer wants to see — teamwork, problem solving, leadership, communication.
After the general “tell us about yourself” question, you’ll be asked things like:
“Can you give an example of a time you showed initiative?”
“Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict.”
“Tell us about a time you led a team under pressure.”
Your job is to give specific, structured, evidence-based answers that show exactly how well you did something and what you learned from it.
How to prepare for a Competency-Based interview
Here are five key steps to take when preparing:
1. Identify the competencies
Start by carefully reading the job spec or description. Take a highlighter marker to the skills it’s looking for from you - “collaboration,” “initiative,” or “stakeholder engagement.” These are the skills they’ll ask about.
2. Gather Your examples
Pick a specific, real-life example for each competence you need to prove.
3. Remember, it’s all about evidence
Structure your answers like this:
Specific example - with the problem or challenge up front
Your role or action – What did you do? What were you asked to do?
Result or outcome – What happened? What did you learn?
We often see people skipping the result or outcome, forgetting that’s what proves their skill. That’s where interviewers are listening most carefully.
4. Practice Out Loud
Saying it in your head - or writing it down - isn’t the same as saying it out loud when you’re under pressure in an interview.
We always recommend:
Talk out loud with a colleague, a friend, or just to yourself
5. Anticipate Probing Questions
Interviewers often follow up with:
What would you have done differently?
What was the feedback from your manager?
What role did you play specifically?
Communicate with Confidence and Authenticity
When you’re clear on your content:
Speak clearly and at a steady pace, remembering to breathe
Avoid jargon - keep your language professional but natural
Don’t memorise your notes - you want to sound prepared, not scripted
Demonstrate genuine interest in the role and organisation - not the ‘about us’ line on their own website
Final Thought: Don’t Wing It
Competency-based interviews are about preparation, evidence and being specific. These are skills anyone can learn.
If you'd like personalised help — from choosing your best examples to doing a full mock interview — our expert trainers can help.